10 amazing reasons to visit the Lake District this winter

Wednesday 09 November 2016

1. The Lake District, Cumbria now boasts the highest concentration of Michelin stars outside of London after Gilpin Hotel’s restaurant and new-comer Forest Side both received their first star recently. They join The Samling, near Ambleside and Simon Rogan’s 2-star L’Enclume in Cartmel on Cumbria’s superior foodie list.

2. The brand new Christmas markets. Both Windermere and Penrith are hosting Christmas markets for the first time this year. They are the perfect opportunity to find unique Christmas treats and precious presents or to spoil yourself, helped along by a glass of mulled wine to really get you in to the festive mood. - Penrith’s Christmas Bazaar 2016: Sat 26th November - Sat 3rd December - Windermere Ja German Christmas Market: Sat 10 - Sun 11th December.

3. Discounted theatre tickets. Watch Neil Duffield’s stage adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Nightingale at Theatre by the Lake. The colour, movement and spectacle of Chinese theatre combine with the beauty of the nightingale’s song is a feast for the senses that will delight the whole family and get £3 off per ticket with a Love Cumbria Card.

4. Our cosy winter pubs. In every corner of the county you will find a cosy country pub, with many serving locally brewed beers. Try The Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater where their own brewery Cumbrian Legendary Ales supplies the goods, including the award winning Loweswater Gold.

5. Stunning winter walks, which can be accessed by everyone. Tarn Hows near Coniston was once owned by children’s author Beatrix Potter. Now it’s open to the public and offers an idyllic circular walk suitable for young and old. You can also hire National Trust trampers at Tarn Hows, an all-terrain mobility scooter available for use on the circular track, free of charge.

6. Glamping is on trend. In the last five years, alternative accommodation has seen a upturn in bed spaces across Cumbria so there are plenty of options to choose from for your winter staycation. With insulation and electrical sockets, there’s no reason the winter should stop your glamping trip.

7. The funny men are coming. Venues across Cumbria are hosting a whole host of professional comedians this winter. Big names include Omid Djalili. James Acaster and Joel Dommet, fresh from the ’I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ jungle. A list of comedy events in Cumbria can been see the GoLakes website.

8. Indulge in your own chocolate and prosecco. Cocoa Bean in Hawkshead is opening its chocolate factory to adults for the first time this winter. They have created special truffle making workshops where you create 14 of your own delicate truffles for you to take home or if you can’t wait, enjoy them there and then with a glass or two of complimentary prosecco. (18th November, 7th and 14th December)

9. We have our own Christmas spirits. The Lakes Distillery on the shores of Bassenthwaite has, in only two years, created an award winning portfolio of distilled spirits including; The ONE blended whisky, The Lakes Gin, The Lakes Vodka and new this year The Lakes Sloe Gin and The Lakes Damson Gin. The very first batch of Lakes Malt Whisky will be available from 2018.

10. The Lakes – well, obviously. A visit to The Lake District, Cumbria wouldn’t be complete without experiencing a lake. Whether it’s Coniston, Windermere, Ullswater, or Derwentwater you can join a launch or steamer service and take a relaxing, sightseeing cruise on the water.